Semiconductor chip design having thermal awareness across multiple sub-system domains

ABSTRACT

A thermally aware design automation suite integrates system-level thermal awareness into the design of semiconductor chips. A thermal analysis engine performs fine-grain thermal simulations of the semiconductor chip based on thermal models and boundary conditions for all thermally significant structures in the chip and the adjacent system that impact the temperature of the semiconductor chip. The thermally aware design automation suite uses the simulations of the thermal analysis engine to repair or otherwise modify the thermally significant structures to equalize temperature variations across the chip, impose specified design assertions on selected portions of the chip, and verify overall chip performance and reliability over designated operating ranges and manufacturing variations. The thermally significant structures are introduced or modified via one or more of: change in number, change in location, and change in material properties.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority benefit claims for this application are made in theaccompanying Application Data Sheet (if any). To the extent permitted bythe type of the instant application, this application incorporates byreference for all purposes the following applications, which are allowned by the owner of the instant application:

U.S. Application Serial No. ______ (Docket No. GDA.2005.08NP) filedherewith, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Method and Apparatus forThermally Aware Design Improvement;

U.S. Application Serial No. ______ (Docket No. GDA.2005.09NP) filedherewith, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Method and Apparatus forGenerating and Using Thermal Test Vectors;

U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/751,376 (Docket No.GDA.2005.23) filed Dec. 17, 2005, by Rajit Chandra, et al., and entitledSemiconductor Chip Design Having Thermal Awareness Across MultipleSub-System Domains;

U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/734,372 (Docket No.GDA.2005.24) filed Nov. 7, 2005, by Rajit Chandra, et al., and entitledEfficient Full-Chip Thermal Modeling and Analysis;

U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/718,138 (Docket No.GDA.2005.22) filed Sep. 16, 2005, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Methodand Apparatus for Temperature Assertion Based IC Design;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/215,783 (Docket No. GRAD/011) filed Aug.29, 2005, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Method and Apparatus forNormalizing Thermal Gradients Over Semiconductor Chip Designs;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/198,467 (Docket No. GRAD/009) filed Aug. 5,2005, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Method and Apparatus for OptimizingThermal Management Systems Performance Using Full-Chip Thermal Analysisof Semiconductor Chip Designs;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/198,470 (Docket No. GRAD/010) filed Aug. 5,2005, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Method and Apparatus for UsingFull-Chip Thermal Analysis of Semiconductor Chip Designs to ComputeThermal Conductance;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/180,353 (Docket No. GRAD/006) filed Jul.13, 2005, by Ping Li, et al., and entitled Method and Apparatus forThermal Modeling and Analysis of Semiconductor Chip Designs;

U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/689,592 (Docket No.GDA.2005.20) filed Jun. 10, 2005, by Rajit Chandra, and entitledTemperature-Aware Design Methodology;

U.S. Application Ser. No. 11/078,047 (Docket No. GRAD/003) filed Mar.11, 2005, by Rajit Chandra, et al., and entitled Method and Apparatusfor Thermal Testing of Semiconductor Chip Designs;

U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/658,323 (Docket No.GDA.2005.09) filed Mar. 3, 2005, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Methodand Apparatus for Generating and Using Thermal Test Vectors;

U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/658,324 (Docket No.GDA.2005.08) filed Mar. 3, 2005, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Methodand Apparatus for Thermally Aware Design Improvement;

U.S. application Ser. No. 11/039,737 (Docket No. GRAD/007) filed Jan.20, 2005, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Method and Apparatus forRetrofitting Semiconductor Chip Performance Analysis Tools withFull-Chip Thermal Analysis Capabilities; and

U.S. application Ser. No. 10/979,957 (Docket No. GRAD/012) filed Nov. 3,2004, by Rajit Chandra, and entitled Method and Apparatus for Full-ChipThermal Analysis of Semiconductor Chip Designs.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Advancements in semiconductor chip design are needed to provideimprovements in performance, efficiency, and utility of use.

2. Related Art

Unless expressly identified as being publicly or well known, mentionherein of techniques and concepts, including for context, definitions,or comparison purposes, should not be construed as an admission thatsuch techniques and concepts are previously publicly known or otherwisepart of the prior art. To the extent permitted by application type, allreferences cited herein (if any), including patents, patentapplications, and publications, are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties, whether specifically incorporated or not, for allpurposes. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that any ofthe references are pertinent prior art, nor does it constitute anyadmission as to the contents or date of actual publication of thesedocuments.

SUMMARY

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as aprocess, an article of manufacture, an apparatus, a system, acomposition of matter, and a computer readable medium such as a computerreadable storage medium or a computer network wherein programinstructions are sent over optical or electronic communication links. Inthis specification, these implementations, or any other form that theinvention may take, may be referred to as techniques. In general, theorder of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within thescope of the invention. The Detailed Description provides an expositionof one or more embodiments of the invention that enable improvements inperformance, efficiency, and utility of use in the field identifiedabove. As is discussed in more detail in the Conclusions, the inventionencompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scopeof the issued claims, which are appended to the very end of the issuedpatent.

A thermally aware design automation suite is taught herein forintegrating system-level thermal awareness into the design ofsemiconductor chips. A thermal analysis engine performs fine-grainthermal simulations of the semiconductor chip based on thermal modelsand boundary conditions for all thermally significant structures in thechip and the adjacent system that impact the temperature of thesemiconductor chip. The thermally aware design automation suite uses thesimulations of the thermal analysis engine to repair or otherwise modifythe thermally significant structures to equalize temperature variationsacross the chip, impose specified design assertions on selected portionsof the chip, and verify overall chip performance and reliability overdesignated operating ranges and manufacturing variations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a system in which the design of semiconductordevices is improved using thermally aware design automation to determineinterconnect characteristics, including the width of selected wires andthe density of selected wire bonds.

FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate a system in which the design ofsemiconductor devices is improved using thermally aware designautomation to determine system boundary condition characteristics,including the density of selected C4 Pads and the configuration ofselected portions of the heat sink.

FIGS. 3A through 3C illustrate a semiconductor device improved usingthermally aware design automation to determine interconnectcharacteristics, including the configuration of selected vias and thematerial property of selected wires.

FIG. 4A illustrates selected components of a thermally ware designautomation suite system and its related inputs, data, and output.

FIG. 4B illustrates the system environment associated with the thermallyaware design automation suite of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C illustrates a simplified view of a thermal model used by thethermally aware design automation suite of FIGS. 4A and 4B, inconjunction with the modeling of the semiconductor devices of FIGS. 3Athrough 3C, and in particular in the system contexts of FIGS. 2A through2C.

FIG. 4D is a grayscale rendition of a colorized three-dimensionalsurface representing the temperature profile across a die, includingconsidering package characteristics as boundary conditions.

FIG. 5 illustrates integrating thermal awareness into existing designflows.

FIG. 6 illustrates detail of the thermal analysis engine of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates temperature aware power analysis.

FIG. 8 illustrates temperature aware voltage drop analysis.

FIG. 9 illustrates temperature aware timing analysis.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example flow for temperature aware cellplacement.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example flow for temperature aware cellplacement.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a flow diagram for improvingelectronic component design by incorporating thermally aware analysis.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hold time problem made apparent bythermally aware analysis.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example repair techniques for the hold timeproblem of FIG. 13, as provided by thermally aware design improvement.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of performance or reliability problemscaused by high operational temperatures as recognized by thermally awareanalysis.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example repair techniques for the performance andreliability problems of FIG. 15, as provided by thermally aware designimprovement.

FIG. 17A illustrates an example of a noise problem brought about in partby a steep thermal gradient that is recognized by thermally awareanalysis.

FIG. 17B illustrates an example improvement technique for the noiseproblem of FIG. 17A, as provided by thermally aware design improvement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. Some of the embodiments or variationsthereof may be characterized as “notable.” The invention is described inconnection with the embodiments, which are understood to be merelyillustrative and not limiting. The invention is expressly not limited toor by any or all of the embodiments herein (notable or otherwise). Thescope of the invention is limited only by the claims appended to the endof the issued patent and the invention encompasses numerousalternatives, modifications and equivalents. Numerous specific detailsare set forth in the following description in order to provide athorough understanding of the invention. These details are provided forthe purpose of example and the invention may be practiced according tothe claims without some or all of these specific details. For thepurpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technicalfields related to the invention has not been described in detail so thatthe invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

Introduction

This introduction is included only to facilitate the more rapidunderstanding of the Detailed Description. The invention is not limitedto the concepts presented in the introduction, as the paragraphs of anyintroduction are necessarily an abridged view of the entire subject andare not meant to be an exhaustive or restrictive description. Forexample, the introduction that follows provides overview informationlimited by space and organization to only certain embodiments. There arein fact many other embodiments, including those to which claims willultimately be drawn, which are discussed throughout the balance of thespecification.

Thermal-aware design automation methods and functional subsystems astaught herein use three dimensional thermal analysis to developsimulated three dimensional chip temperature distributions to guidedesign changes to improve the temperature distribution (to meet chipdesign goals and avoid latent defects), to improve chip performance, andto improve chip reliability. One use of the thermal-aware methods is toguide the selection between otherwise functionally interchangeablecomponents, structures, or other design resources that aredifferentiated by their thermal conductance, and thus can be substitutedto alter the chip temperature distribution to accomplish an intendedresult.

Thermal improvements (a.k.a. thermal repairs) of the design reduce,equalize, or smooth, temperatures in particular localized regions.Unimproved designs can suffer from poor performance, poor reliability,or both. Unanticipated localized heating can problematically changecircuit behavior due to increased IR-drops, slower transitions, andlonger delays. Undesirable temperature distributions can unbalanceotherwise balanced circuits and create signal integrity problems.Excessive temperature concentrations (hot spots) can exacerbateelectromigration failure mechanisms.

Thermal improvements are achieved by the introduction or modification ofthermally significant structures via for example, a change in number, achange in location, or a change in material properties. Thermallysignificant structural changes which are contemplated include (but arenot limited to): solder bump (e.g. C4-bump) location and density;solder-bump-related underfill composition; thermal via location,density, and metal composition; heat sink configuration including finlocation, density, and height; metal fill location and density; wirelocation, width, and metal composition; and bond wire location anddensity.

Fabrication process steps are contemplated to expand the available chipdesign resources (structure, components) to include otherwise equivalentcomponents that are differentiated by their thermal conductance. Forexample, such process steps enable at least some regions on at least onelayer to be a selected one of a plurality of metallization types havingrespectively different elemental compositions. In particular, a highheat conduction metal such as Ti, can be selectively used where enhancedthermal conductivity is needed or warranted. Such special metallizationcan be used for vias, metal layers, or both. Vias (whether enhanced byspecial metallization or not) may be employed to reduce local heating(for any of the reasons cited previously), to electrically couplecircuitry on proximate metal layers, or both. Particular System-levelThermally Aware Improvements

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a system in which the design of semiconductordevices is improved using thermally aware design to analyze andautomatically improve the thermal characteristics of interconnect,including the width of selected wires and the density of selected wirebonds. FIG. 1A illustrates system 150SYS, including board 150BD havingunimproved package 150CS-A with unimproved semiconductor devices 150C-Aand 150C-B, having respective digital and mixed signal electronics asshown. FIG. 2A illustrates system 150SYS, including board 150BD havingimproved package 150CS-B with improved semiconductor devices 150C-C and150C-D.

In comparing FIGS. 1A and 1B, attention is first drawn to the wirewidths of the outputs of flip-flops 170, 171, 172, and 174. In FIG. 1A,respectively these are 170-OW1, 171-OW1, 172-OW1, and 174-OW1, where OW1signifies “output width 1”. In FIG. 1B, respectively these are 170-OW2,171-OW2, 172-OW2, and 174-OW2, where OW2 signifies “output width 2”. Infurther comparing FIGS. 1A and 1B, attention is next drawn to the numberof wire bonds (the wire bond density) used as interconnect between thetwo semiconductor devices and the package for various nodes. Exemplarywire bond couplings in FIG. 1A are identified as UBWD-A, UBWD-B, UBWD-C,and UBWD-D, where UBWD signifies “unimproved wire bond density”.Corresponding wire bond couplings in FIG. 2A are identified as IBWD-A,IBWD-B, IBWD-C, and IBWD-D, where IBWD signifies “improved wire bonddensity”.

The above examples are suggestive of the types of improvements (a.k.a.repairs) that can be made to wires to selectively alter the temperatureprofile of the chip in a selected region. More generally, in response toa thermal analysis in accordance with the teachings herein, wire thermalcharacteristics can be altered by one or more of the following exemplarybut not limiting approaches: changing wire routing, changing the widthof one or more wires, changing the resistivity of one or more wires, andchanging the elemental composition of one or more wires. In theforegoing, the term “wire” includes but is not limited to patterned chipinterconnect (such as patterned source/drain, poly, or metal), patternedpackage interconnect, and wire bonds. While metallization and vias arealso forms of interconnect than can be similarly modified, they aretreated separately below.

FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate a system in which the design ofsemiconductor devices is improved using thermally aware designautomation to improve system boundary condition characteristics (withrespect to the semiconductor device), including changes in the densityof selected C4 Pads and the configuration of selected portions of theheat sink. (Note that in FIGS. 2A-2C, the “-A” and “-B” suffixescorresponding to the left and right chips, respectively.) Componentscommon in these three views include printed-circuit board 150BD, ballgrid array solder joints 150B, ceramic substrate 150CS, C4 bumps (a.k.a.solder bumps) and underfill (a.k.a. encapsulation) instances 150C4-A and150C4-B, interconnect layer instances 106-A and 106-B, silicon bulkinstances 104-A and 104-B, thermal interface material instances 150TIM-Aand 150TIM-B, heat spreaders 150HSP-A and 150HSP-B, and heat sink150HSK. In comparing FIGS. 2A and 2B, attention is directed to thechange in heat sink fin distribution associated with the regionsidentified by 150HFD-A and 150HFD-B in FIG. 2B and further by the changein C4 bump distribution associated with the regions identified by150C4D-A and 150C4D-B (also in FIG. 2B). In FIG. 2C, the height ofselected heat sink fins has also been changed.

The above examples are merely suggestive of the types of improvements orrepairs that can be made to system (extra-chip) thermal boundaryconditions to selectively alter the temperature profile of a chip (orchips) in one or more selected regions. More generally, in response to athermal analysis in accordance with the teachings herein, system thermalboundary characteristics can be altered by one or more of the followingexemplary but not limiting approaches: changing the configuration ofdie-to-package attachment, package design, and heat dissipater design.

In turn, altering the thermal characteristics of the die-to-packageattachment can be accomplished by one or more of the following exemplarybut not limiting approaches: changing the configuration of solder bumps,final metal attachment pads (for solder bumps or wire bonds), andunderfill (an optional encapsulant between the solder bumps). Alteringthe thermal characteristics of the solder bumps can be accomplished byone or more of the following exemplary but not limiting approaches:changing the number, placement, density, and elemental composition ofone or more solder bumps in at least one region. Altering the thermalcharacteristics of final metal attachment pads can be accomplished byone or more of the following exemplary but not limiting approaches:changing the number, placement, density, distribution, and elementalcomposition of one or more final metal attachment pads in at least oneregion. Altering the thermal characteristics of the underfill can beaccomplished by one or more of the following exemplary but not limitingapproaches: changing the application and elemental composition of theunderfill in at least one region. Altering the thermal characteristicsof the package design can be accomplished by one or more of thefollowing exemplary but not limiting approaches: changing the packageinterconnect, metallization, and vias. Altering the thermalcharacteristics of the heat dissipater design can be accomplished by oneor more of the following exemplary but not limiting approaches: changingthe number, placement, orientation, geometry, height, density, andelemental composition of one or more heat sink fins in at least oneregion.

FIGS. 3A through 3C illustrate a semiconductor device improved usingthermally aware design automation to determine interconnectcharacteristics, including the configuration of selected vias and thematerial property of selected wires. Components common in these threeviews include: heat dissipater 150HD (representing one or more of thethermal interface material, heat spreader, and heat sink of FIGS.2A-2C); semiconductor bulk 104B; source/drain region 104SD; field effecttransistor 104FET; dielectric insulations layers 106D-1, 106D-2, 106D-3,106D-4, and 106D-N; local wire (conducting) layer 106W-A, intermediatescope wire layers 106W-B and 106W-C, semi-global wire 106W-D, and globalwire 106W-N; and via 106V.

When compared to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B draws attention to improved viadensity IVD-A and IVD-B between multiple layers of interconnect. This isillustrative of but one of many types of improvements or repairs thatcan be made to vias to selectively alter the temperature profile of achip in one or more selected regions. More generally, in response to athermal analysis in accordance with the teachings herein, vias can bealtered by one or more of the following exemplary but not limitingapproaches: changing the number, placement, density, arrangement, crosssection, resistivity, and elemental composition of one or more vias inat least one region.

When compared to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3C draws attention to improvedmetallization 1061M in a selected portion of conducting layer 106W-B.That is, metallization with a different elemental composition than thesurrounding metallization has been used in the highlighted wire segmentto selectively alter the temperature profile in the illustrated regionof the chip. This is illustrative of but one of many types ofimprovements or repairs that can be made to metallization to selectivelyalter the temperature profile of a chip in one or more selected regions.More generally, in response to a thermal analysis in accordance with theteachings herein, metallization can be altered by one or more of thefollowing exemplary but not limiting approaches: changing the location,patterning, cross section, thickness, tile arrangement, tile density,and elemental composition of the metallization in at least one region.

FIG. 4A illustrates selected components of a thermal-aware designautomation suite 200 and its related inputs, data, and output. Asillustrated, the thermal analysis suite 200 is adapted to receive aplurality of inputs 202 a-202 g (hereinafter collectively referred to as“inputs 202”) and process these inputs 202 to produce a full-chip (e.g.,three-dimensional) thermal model 204 of a proposed semiconductor chipdesign.

In an exemplary but not limiting embodiment, the plurality of inputs 202includes industry standard design data 202 a-202 f (e.g., pertaining tothe actual chip design or layout under consideration) and library data202 g (e.g., pertaining to the semiconductor devices and interconnectsincorporated in the design). The industry standard design data mayinclude one or more of the following types of data: electrical componentextraction data and extracted parasitic data (e.g., embodied in standardparasitic extraction files, or SPEFs, 202 a), design representationsincluding layout data (e.g., embodied in Library Exchange Format/DesignExchange Format, or LEF/DEF files 202 b, Graphical Design Format II, orGDSII, files 202 c and/or text files 202 d), manufacturer-specifictechfiles 202 e describing layer information and package models,user-generated power tables 202 f including design data (e.g., includinga switching factor, E(sw)). In one embodiment, this industry standarddesign data 202 a-202 f is stored in a design database 206 such as anopen access database or a proprietary database. In one embodiment, thelibrary data 202 g is embodied in a library that is distributed by asemiconductor part manufacturer or a library vendor. In anotherembodiment, the library incorporating the library data 202 g can bebuilt in-house by a user.

As illustrated, the thermal analysis suite 200, includes performanceanalysis tools 230 and thermal analysis and repair tools 210. Theperformance analysis tools 230 may include engines (software subsystems)for providing layout, physical design, and verification services(callable tasks and procedures). The thermal analysis and repair toolsinclude a thermal analysis engine 220 and generate the full-chip thermalmodel 204 of the semiconductor chip under design.

FIG. 4B illustrates the system environment associated with the thermallyaware design automation suite of FIG. 4A. Computer System 300 is ageneral purpose computing system such as a Personal Computer (PC),Workstation, or Server, and includes a Processor 302, a Memory 304, aThermal Computation Module 305 and various Input/Output (I/O) andStorage Devices 306. The I/O and Storage Devices module includes anycombination of a display, a keyboard, a mouse, a modem, a networkconnection, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, and similardevices. In some embodiments several or all of the aforementionedprocedures (such as “Thermal Analysis and Repair Tools” 210, “ThermalAnalysis Engine 220” 220, and optionally portions of “PerformanceAnalysis Tools” 230) are implemented via Thermal-Aware Design AutomationSuite 200.

In some embodiments Thermal-Aware Design Automation Suite 200 isimplemented as a physical device or subsystem that is coupled to aprocessor through a communication channel. Alternatively, the ThermalComputation Module may be implemented by one or more softwareapplications (or even a combination of software and hardware, e.g.,using Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC)), where thesoftware is loaded from a storage medium (such as from I/O and StorageDevices 306) and operated by Processor 302 in Memory 304 of ComputerSystem 300. Thus, in some embodiments, Thermal-Aware Design AutomationSuite 200, described herein with reference to the preceding figures, canbe stored on a computer readable medium or carrier (e.g., RAM, magneticor optical drive or diskette, and similar storage media; see removablemedia 307 and media reader 308).

Additionally, the software may run in a distributed or partitionedfashion on two or more computing devices similar to Computer System 300.The collaborating computing devices may be linked via network connection345 to Local Area Network 340 and via network connection 315 to WideArea Network 310. Furthermore, use may be made of networked Local Server350 and Remote Server 320, for library and data storage, programupdates, and license validation, among other uses.

FIG. 4C shows a simplified view of a thermal model used by the thermallyaware design automation suite of FIGS. 4A and 4B, in conjunction withthe modeling of the semiconductor devices of FIGS. 3A through 3C, and inparticular in the system contexts of FIGS. 2A through 2C. The full chipthermal model must account for boundary conditions, including, but notlimited to, the packaging, board, and heat sink configuration anddesign, as well as material anisotropy and conductance (K) variations.The thermal conductance of the substrate layer is modeled according tothe density and/or presence of active devices and implantedinterconnect. The thermal conductance of each inter-layer dielectric(ILD) layer is respectively modeled according to the density and/orpresence of vias/contacts (made using e.g., TiN and/or WTiSi₂) vs.dielectric isolation (e.g., SiO₂ and/or Si₃N₄). The thermal conductanceof each metal layer is respectively modeled according to the densityand/or presence of metallization vs. dielectric isolation.

User Interface (UI) features of enhanced temperature aware analysistools are illustrated with reference again to FIG. 4D. As indicated bythe slider on the right of FIG. 4D, the particular profile shown is fora depth of the chip selected to correspond to the channel region.Selection of other depths via the slider, results in presentation of thetemperature profile at the selected chip depth.

In FIG. 4D the vertical axis corresponds to temperature and increasingheights on the three-dimensional surface correspond to increasingtemperature on the chip. The three-dimensional surface profile presentsheight gradients that are proportional to the temperature gradients onthe chip. In addition to representing temperature by the height, infull-color versions of FIG. 4D, gradations of color are mapped ontoselect intervals of the temperature range. This is shown by the “Range”legend in the upper left. In full-color versions of FIG. 4D, the legendboxes have gradations of the color spectrum progressively ranging fromviolet at the lowest temperatures in the range shown, through blue,green, yellow, orange, and red for the highest temperature in the range.Thus in full-color versions of FIG. 4D, temperature is redundantlyrepresented by the height of the three-dimensional surface and the colorof the surface. The height gradient and the color mapping each providesreadily perceived visual clues of precisely how the temperature variesover the extent of the chip. In FIG. 4D, the color of thethree-dimensional surface is also projected onto the plane lyingunderneath the surface. The color projection contains the same colorinformation as the three-dimensional surface, but without the heightinformation.

FIG. 4E shows an exemplary but not limiting temperature-aware designflow. The key point in this flow is the use of a temperature analysisand repair capability. The temperatures for all parts of the chip arecomputed and then used in conjunction with existing flows to achievetemperature aware analysis and repair. In notable embodiments,temperatures are computed using one or more of the techniques describedin the various patent applications listed in the cross-reference sectionabove.

The inputs to the temperature-aware flow are the design layout data, thestack description and technology data for the materials used, and thepackage characteristics. In notable embodiments, the inputs also includeassertions on the temperature requirements for the correct operation ofthe circuits and the long-term reliability of the chip. Thetemperature-aware flow, in conjunction with a proper thermal analysis,can use such assertions to produce a chip that meets newtemperature-aware criteria, leading to shorter design cycles and morereliable and lower-power chips.

Assertions can be global to the whole chip (e.g., temperature within acertain range anywhere on the chip), or they can be attached to somephysical or logical structure in the chip (e.g., the clock net is withina certain temperature range, a set of transistors are at the sametemperature, etc.). In notable embodiments, assertions directly orindirectly (by a tool enforcing the assertion) cause circuit elements tobe moved, transistor types to be changed, heating or cooling elements tobe inserted, etc. In notable embodiments, assertions operate inconjunction with package-level thermal analysis, whereby modificationsof the package, as well as the die, are used to help solve on-chipthermal problems.

Temperature-Aware Analysis Flows And Their Use Models

This section describes how current power analysis, voltage dropanalysis, and timing analysis flows can be made temperature aware. Thesesteps apply at various stages of a design flow as can been seen fromFIG. 5 which shows a exemplary but not limiting digital design flow andthe usage of temperature aware analysis within the flow. FIG. 5 alsoshows where repair capabilities can be applied within the design flow.The section after this will focus on the details of repair methods.

FIG. 6A illustrates the inputs, outputs, and internal actions of thethermal analysis engine of FIG. 5. An initial power estimate is derivedand a three dimensional thermal model of the chip is constructed fromthe design layout, layer thermal coefficients, and a thermal model ofthe package. The thermal model is then used to solve for the temperatureof the cells and wires of the chip in three dimensions. The calculatedchip temperatures are then used to refine the power estimate. Assuggested by the inner loop, this process repeats until the calculatedchip temperature settles to a final value. The final power calculationis subsequently passed to electromigration analysis, timing analysis,and IR drop analysis tools to check for problems warranting improvementor repair.

FIG. 6B provides greater detail of the inner loop of the thermalanalysis engine. The thermal model is used to compute the cell and wiretemperatures from the current power value. As suggested by the decisionblock at the bottom center, as long as changes in the computed cell andwire temperatures have not settled out, the leakage and switching powerare iteratively recalculated as a function of the updated temperature.The loop is exited and the iteration stops once the computed cell andwire temperatures settle out.

FIG. 7 revisits the power calculation loop of FIG. 6B from a differentperspective and provides insight as to how the computed temperature dataeffects the power calculation components. The Thermal Analysis enginegenerates the temperature data. Starting with an initial power estimateof the power sources in the channel layer (corresponding to the currentcarrying channel layer of the active devices) and the layout informationfor the chip, it then computes the temperature as a function of thepower dissipated per unit volume within the chip. The position andgeometry of the placed instances are needed to determine the powersource models and their interactions. The boundary conditions at thepower source locations, interlayer dielectric interfaces, metal layersand the package boundary interface are used in numerically solving forthe temperature values within the chip. The temperature data perinstance and metal shape is used to update the power distribution.Iteratively solving the electro-thermal effects produces thesteady-state solution to the temperature distributions. If there are anythermal runaway conditions, then that is also detected through theelectro-thermal solution of the chip temperature distribution. Theengine is both high capacity and high performance to cope withlarge-scale designs, and design analysis with several power consumptionscenarios.

The initial power of the instances is used as the starting point, andthe thermal analysis then electro-thermally computes the steady statepower and temperature for the entire chip in three dimensions. Thetemperature data is used to derive the actual voltage drop and leakagecurrent and then to update the power and the Joule heating in the wiresand the corresponding resistivity changes. The steady state temperatureis used to compute the actual device drive strength and delays, and thento annotate the local incremental delay (as in SDF) in to the statictimer so that the slew and delays can be applied to re-compute the shortcircuit power and dynamic power with altered effective load capacitance.

Power analysis is applied in the post physical synthesis phase when theinstance positions are known and the individual switching informationand output load is available.

A method for temperature-aware voltage-drop and electromigration checkscan be implemented using the thermal analysis engine describedpreviously. In this method, the incremental changes caused bytemperature difference between actual versus average temperature areconsidered with respect to the wire current density. The changes are dueto the incremental changes in device current and wire resistances. Boththe voltage drop and the current density are then compared against theirrespective design limits, which are temperature-dependent as well. Suchtemperature dependent leakage current and current density rules areestablished by working with the semiconductor manufacturers targeted forthe fabrication of the respective designs. FIG. 8 illustrates atemperature-aware voltage drop flow.

The temperature-aware power values derived in FIG. 7 are used inobtaining temperature-aware device currents. The current values are usedto derive the wire temperature due to the wires' self-heating, and thetemperatures of the wire segments are used in changing the resistance ofthe power bus.

The flow is applicable following the physical synthesis and post powerbus routing. It is intended for use at physical design planning time andafter the detailed routing step for final verification.

FIG. 9 shows a temperature-aware timing analysis flow. Parasiticextraction and delay calculation is done in two passes. In a first pass,parasitics and delays are calculated at the average temperaturecondition of the chip. In a second pass, interconnect resistance andcell delays are scaled based on the thermal gradients. The standardparasitic (SPEF) and delay (SDF) formats are used to implement thisflow. In this way, existing tools and methods for the calculation oftiming and signal integrity are leveraged. The overhead ofpost-processing SPEF and SDF files to include the thermal effects issmall compared to the overall analysis time. The output from the tool isthe incremental delay due to the difference in the average temperatureversus the actual device temperature and the signal wire temperatureprofile. This result is expressed in the incremental SDF format so thatstatic timing analysis tools can directly use it.

The flow can be used directly after routing of clock and signal nets inthe physical design steps and in the final routing stages when thecoupling capacitance and signal integrity effects can be fully included.By integrating temperature aware capabilities into today's design flows,there is no need to re-write the golden analysis standards that havebeen established for the past decade. Instead, through the use of toolswhich incrementally retrofit today's flows with temperature aware data,the temperature effects can be fully accounted for.

By applying thermal analysis, pessimism and/or risk associated with theassumption of a uniform on-chip temperature is reduced. Atemperature-aware design flow is useful for existing technologies downto 90 nm, and is required for technologies below 90 nm. The next sectionaddresses the methodology for repairing the issues that could arisebecause of temperature gradients within the chip.

Thermal Integrity: Analysis and Repairing of Temperature InducedProblems

In this section the thermal analysis of the previous section and repairstrategies for addressing thermally induced chip design issues arecombined to provide a complete solution for modern day chip designs.

In the foregoing discussions, it was pointed out that the thermalanalysis requires the placed instances and their bounding boxes. Theinstances can be represented as power sources with different levels ofgranularity (transistor, cell, macro, block). The thermal conductionthrough metal layers can be either estimated or accurately calculateddepending on the details of the routed geometries. The analysis withcoarse granularity and estimated thermal conduction though metal layerscorresponds to a floor plan scenario, whereas the detailed analysiscorresponds to a post-route scenario.

Assuming an integrated circuit comprising several million standardcells, thermal analysis for the floor plan scenario can be performed inroughly an hour. This is fast enough to allow for floor plan andplacement iterations with the goal of avoiding undesirable effects dueto thermal gradient. The detailed analysis for the post-route scenarioof the same circuit takes much longer. While the analysis at the floorplan stage is accurate enough to find the location and the relativemagnitude of thermal hot spots, the post-route analysis allows thedesigner to verify timing and signal integrity with greater accuracy andtherefore reduce pessimistic design margins. It is possible, and in manycases desirable, to use non-worst-case margins and allow thetemperature-aware design flow to identify any resulting issues, whichcan then be fixed individually. This approach is most beneficial forcost-sensitive applications where overly-conservative margin left in thedesign corresponds to increased silicon area.

The analysis data at the early stages is useful in removing hot spotsand in equalizing the temperature distribution. Consequently, thesubsequent steps, in the design implementation progressively occur withless steep thermal gradients. This helps standard implementation toolswith internal analysis capability to operate closer to the constanttemperature premise, allowing their existing optimization and analysisalgorithms to be applicable. The temperature profile and the distance ofthe power source from the surrounding temperature contours provide costfunctions which can determine several placement options for a giventemperature gradient tolerance. The package characteristics are takeninto account to ensure that the temperature contours are realistic.

An example flow showing a temperature driven cell placement is shown inFIG. 10. The thermal analysis function is called from within thephysical design (P&R) tool to initiate temperature calculations and toget information on possible cell moves that would minimize thetemperature gradients within the chip. The thermal analyzer identifiescell instances and moves that best optimize the temperature gradientsunder the given constraints. It then sends the location and move requestto P&R for approval. This loop iterates with further constraint data tocheck if there are any violations in P&R until an approval is signaledto the thermal analysis tool, after that point the temperature-awarecell moves are implemented by P&R.

The ptab input file contains instance positions passed to the thermaltool by the physical implementation tool. The pval input file containsinstance power values given to the thermal analysis tool from a powerestimation tool (which often comes integrated into the P&R tool). Thetechfile input file contains layer dimensions, material constants,package characteristics and ambient temperature information.

Parasitic information and static timing analysis results are availablethrough P&R and temperature aware delay calculation is available withinthe thermal analysis tool similar to the flow described in FIG. 9.

After the final routing and temperature aware timing analysis iscompleted, if there are any more temperature hot spots the thermalanalysis tool applies further repair actions using thermal structures tofurther minimize temperature gradients, and the flow is then completedwith the optimal temperature distribution for the given design andpackage parameters.

FIG. 11 is an alternative perspective of the example flow fortemperature aware cell placement of FIG. 10, drawn to emphasize thevarious data types passed the thermal analysis engine.

Design Improvement Flow

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a flow diagram for improvingelectronic component design by incorporating thermally aware analysis.As illustrated in the figure, the flow generally includes two phases. Afirst phase includes an iterative analysis of the electronic componentaccounting for thermal effects (“Thermally Aware Analysis Flow” 110). Asecond phase includes an iterative improvement of the design of thecomponent (“Improvement Flow” 120), using information from the thermallyaware analysis.

“Design Description” 150 is a collection of information defining variousaspects of the particulars of the specifications for manufacturing andusing the electronic component that is to be improved, includinglogical, physical, and mechanical descriptive data. Typically theelectronic component is an integrated circuit that includes anycombination of one or more monolithic die, a package for the die, anattachment mechanism to couple (electrically and mechanically) the dieto the package, and heat dissipation elements. In some embodiments, thedescription is in the form of computer-readable files including anycombination of a technology file, an extracted parasitic netlist file,timing constraints files, device and interconnect information files(such as geometry, orientation, and location information files), andaverage power files (from simulation or designer input). “ThermallyAware Analysis Flow” 110 and “Improvement Flow” 120, each with iterativeprocessing, may optionally communicate information between each otherand internal elements via the description, as illustrated conceptuallyby dashed-arrows 151 - 154, according to various embodiments.

More specifically as illustrated by the figure, flow beings (“Start”101) and an analysis of the electronic component is performed,accounting for thermal properties and resultant behaviors (“ThermallyAware Analysis Flow” 110), with optional iterations. Results of thethermal analysis include expected operating temperatures (absolute orgradient) for various portions of the electronic component, includingany combination of the die, the package, the die attach mechanism, andthe optional heat sink.

Subsequently the electronic component design is improved (“ImprovementFlow” 120), using information from the thermally aware analysis flow,also with optional iterations. Flow is then complete (“End” 199). Theentire illustrated flow, from the start to the end may be repeated asdesired, under the direct control of design personnel orprogrammatically, according to embodiment.

The thermally aware analysis flow begins by analyzing or simulating thethermal behavior of the electronic component design (“Thermal Analysis”111), based in part on portions of “Design Description” 150. Outputresults include expected operating temperatures for various elements ofthe die, including various devices and interconnect. The results mayalso include a thermal diagram or temperature gradient map, indicatingequi-thermal lines of identical temperature superimposed on arepresentation of the physical or mechanical layout of portions of theelectronic component. Alternatively, a listing of elements andrespective temperatures may be provided in a tabular format. Anycombination of the results may be provided in human-readable andcomputer-readable representations

Processing then proceeds with analyses according to procedures typicallyrelying on the operating temperatures of the various elements as inputs(“Other Analyses” 112). In other words, the other analyses usetemperature information provided by the thermal analysis to performother operations, varying by embodiment and including circuit and logicsimulation, as well as static timing analysis (STA). The other analysesfurther include signal integrity analyses, leakage current checking, andelectrical rules checking. In some embodiments the circuit simulation isperformed via any combination of industry standard tools such as SPICE,HSPICE, and HSIM. In some embodiments the logic simulation is performedvia an industry standard Verilog compatible simulator. In someembodiments the STA is performed via an industry standard tool such asPrimeTime. Varying by embodiment, the signal integrity analyses includeanalyzing data signals, clock lines, and power grids, often usingindustry standard tools such as VoltageStorm and CeltIC. The electricalrules checking includes any combination of slew rate, current density,and electromigration checking, according to various embodiments.

After completing the other analyses, a determination is made as towhether additional thermal and other analyses are required (“IterateAnalysis” 113). If additional iterations are required (“Yes” 113Y), suchas due to results of the other analyses indicating heat output fromdevices that is different than what was assumed prior to the thermalanalysis, then flow returns to “Thermal Analysis” 111. If additionaliterations are not required (“No” 113N), then the thermally awareanalysis flow is complete, and flow continues, using the results of theanalysis to improve the design (“Optimize/Repair” 121).

The optimize/repair processing examines the results of the thermal andother analyses to determine ways to improve the design of the electroniccomponent. Improvements take the form of any combination ofoptimizations, repairs, and similar techniques to enable betterperformance of an instance of the electronic component manufacturedaccording to portions of “Design Description” 150. Examples of selectedimprovement techniques are described elsewhere herein (see the “ExampleImprovement Techniques” section). Outputs of “Optimize/Repair” 121include any combination of violation reports for inspection by designpersonnel, Engineering Change Order (ECO) scripts for input to designautomation tools, and similar data for improving the design of theelectronic component, according to various embodiments.

In some embodiments the ECOs are passed programmatically directly foruse by “Design Automation Flow” 122. In some embodiments designpersonnel inspect the ECOs and selectively pass all or portions of themto the design automation flow. Typical implementations of the designautomation flow include operation of one or more industry standard (orindustry standard compatible) Computer Aided Design automation (CAD)tools using as input at least the ECOs and selected information from“Design Description” 150. The CAD tools typically include anycombination of logic synthesizers, netlist generators, place and routetools, layout extractors, and other similar procedures to developaspects of the physical implementation of the electronic component.

After completion of the design automation flow, a check is made todetermine whether additional optimization/repair and design flowoperations are necessary (“Iterate Improvement?” 123). If additionaliterations are required (“Yes” 123Y), such as due to not meeting some ofthe optimize/repair specifications, then flow returns to“Optimize/Repair” 121. If additional iterations are not needed, then theimprovement flow is complete, and flow continues via “No” 123N to “End”199. In some embodiments checking for the need for additional operations(“Iterate Improvement?” 123) may be performed by design personnel,design programs, or both.

In some embodiments “Thermal Analysis” 111 provides thermal informationto “Other Analyses” 112 via modifications to models referenced by theother analyses. For example, timing delay models used by an STA executedduring the other analyses may be modified by the thermal analysis toreflect effects of operating temperatures (typically hotter devicesoperate longer propagation times while cooler devices operate withshorter propagation times). Similarly, power models read by a power gridanalyzer may be modified according to results of the thermal analysis(typically hotter transistors have higher leakage currents and coolertransistors have lower leakage currents). As another example,interconnect properties used by an electromigration checking tool may bemodified based on temperatures of operation of interconnects determinedby the thermal analysis (higher temperatures generally being modeled ashaving greater susceptibility to electromigration effects).

In some embodiments “Thermal Analysis” 111 provides thermal informationto “Other Analyses” 112 via differential (or incremental) parameterchanges with respect to a fixed operating temperature point,conceptually similar to a “small-signal analysis” around the temperaturepoint. Frequently implementations of elements of “Other Analyses” 112(such as analyzers for timing, voltage drop, power, electromigration,and noise) perform an analysis at an assumed constant temperature (oneof minimum, maximum, or nominal, for example). In other words, theanalysis is performed as if all of the analyzed elements operated at thesame temperature. However, results of the thermal analysis typicallyindicate operation of the analyzed elements at varying temperatures. Insome of the fixed-temperature analysis implementation contexts “ThermalAnalysis” 111 provides incremental data to facilitate a more accurateanalysis that accounts for the determined temperature gradients.

Several illustrative examples serve to further describe the incrementalanalysis technique, as follows. The thermal analysis provides the timinganalyzer with incremental delay information based on computedtemperature variations. The incremental delays represent differences inpropagation behavior between operation at the assumed temperature pointand the temperature point determined by the thermal analysis. Thevoltage drop analyzer is provided with differential voltage dropinformation computed in accordance with the thermal analysis. The poweranalyzer is provided power variance information as relating to variationof leakage power with respect to the temperatures provided by thethermal analysis. The electromigration analyzer rule check is modifiedaccording to differences (above or below) assumed temperature operationof interconnect (signal, clock, supply, and so forth) according tothermal analysis results, including more stringent rules for elevatedtemperatures and correspondingly more relaxed rules for reducedtemperatures. The noise analyzer is provided with information regardingsignal waveform variation as a function of temperature according to thethermal analysis, the variation being obtained by a technique such asannotations of temperature variation in a circuit simulation.

In some embodiments portions of “Other Analyses” 112 may be incorporatedinto “Thermal Analysis” 111, optionally including iterations similar to“Iterate Analysis” 113. For example, an iterative logic/timingsimulation may be performed that dynamically accounts for operatingtemperatures of various devices of the electronic component byaccounting for localized heat generation due to dynamic switchingactivity. Similarly, a power grid analysis may be performed that feedsback power estimation information to an incorporated/integrated thermalanalysis to determine new operating temperatures for devices. In turnthermal analysis results are input to a revised power grid analysis.

In some embodiments “Optimize/Repair” 121 relies on information from(“Other Analyses” 112. For example, an optimization or a repair mayintroduce a new timing problem or create a design rule violation. Theoptimize/repair processing selects a strategy based on any combinationof the thermal analysis and the other analyses to avoid introducing newerrors.

As illustrated, the thermally aware analysis is not restricted tobeginning with a thermal analysis (dashed-arrow 111A). Insteadprocessing may begin with other analyses (dashed-arrow 112A), undercontrol of design personnel directives, programmatic selection, otherdetermination schemes, or according to various embodiments. For example,in some embodiments it may be desirable to perform an initial logicsimulation to determine activity factors (or fractional switching dutycycles) in preparation for the thermal analysis. The activity factorsare used to provide information regarding heat source behavior, astransistors and interconnect (including resistive, capacitive, andinductive effects) typically dissipate more power (as heat) whenchanging state more often. For another example, in some embodiments itmay be useful to perform an initial leakage analysis to estimate leakagepower (having an exponential temperature dependence) in preparation forthe thermal analysis. The leakage estimate is used to provideinformation regarding heating due to the elements dissipating theleakage power.

Example Improvement Techniques

In the following example improvement techniques, it will be understoodthat each illustrated cooling structure (a.k.a., heat removal element)is merely an abstraction for one or more of the heat dissipation andspreading design choices disclosed throughout this specification(including the claims as filed). To repeat just some of these techniqueshere: vias, solder bumps, metal fills, final metal pads/lands, wirewidth, and bond wires, can be introduced or modified to dissipate and/orspread heat to reduce, equalize, and/or smooth the temperaturedistribution in a local area. Likewise, it will be understood that theheating structure (a.k.a. heat source) illustrated in the last exampleis merely an abstraction for one or more design choices (as taughtthroughout the specification and claims) that result in a temperatureincrease in the desired local area. For example, a higher R metal can bechosen for a wire proximate to the local area, a nearby transistor canbe resized, or the density of proximate solder bumps or heat sink finscan be decreased. Both types of thermal structure (cooling and heating)can furthermore be achieved at least in part through the technique ofsubstitution of otherwise functionally interchangeable elements that aredifferentiated by differences in their thermal conductivity. That is,the temperature distribution in a local region can be modified asdesired at least in part by choosing the most appropriate availablethermal conductivity type for structures and/or components in the regionof interest.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a hold time problem made apparent bythermally aware analysis (such as performed by “Thermally Aware AnalysisFlow” 110 of FIG. 12). Cool Region 210 includes Source FFs 211, AND Gate212, XNOR Gate 213, and AND Gate 214, all operating at a relatively lowtemperature, as determined by “Thermal Analysis” 111. Hot Region 220includes Destination FF 221 and in close physical proximity, Heat Source222, all operating at a relatively high temperature, as determined by“Thermal Analysis” 111. The elements of Cool Region 210 operate withrelatively small delays, due at least in part to their relatively lowoperating temperature. Destination FF 221 operates with relatively largedelays, due at least in part to its relatively high operatingtemperature, and the larger delays result in the FF requiring arelatively longer hold time to capture an input.

“Thermal Analysis” 111 provides the STA (typically performed as part of“Other Analyses” 112) with information describing the temperatureaffected relative timing performance between Cool Region 210 and HotRegion 220. The timing performance information may be explicit orimplicit, according to embodiment. Explicit information typically takesthe form of delay differentials or deltas, with respect to an assumedtemperature operating point used by the STA. Implicit information istypically absolute or differential temperatures used by the STA tocompute delay times accounting for temperature gradients. The STArecognizes that due to the relatively small delay of the path throughCool Region 210, in conjunction with the relatively longer hold timerequirement of Destination FF 221, that there is a hold time problem inthe path from Source FFs 211 to Destination FF 221. The detected holdtime violation occurs under the conditions of the temperature gradientrecognized by “Thermal Analysis” 111.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example repair technique for the hold timeproblem of FIG. 13, as provided by thermally aware design improvement(such as performed by “Improvement Flow” 120 of FIG. 12). Morespecifically, FIG. 14 illustrates improving the hold time performance ofDestination FF 221 by reducing its operating temperature as a repair forthe hold time violation. However, in this example a heat removal elementis added, via insertion of Cooling Structure 332, in close physicalproximity to Destination FF 221. The elements of FIG. 14 are identicalto those of FIG. 13, except for the addition of the cooling structure.As illustrated, the area of relatively lower temperature operation (CoolRegion 210C) extends to include Destination FF 221, due to the additionof the cooling structure. The region of relatively higher temperatureoperation (Hot Region 220C) is correspondingly reduced in area. In thisexample, “Thermal Analysis” 111 identifies the heat source and“Optimize/Repair” 121 recognizes opportunity for improvement bydecreasing the effect of the heat source on the FF by adding the heatremoval element.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of performance or reliability problemscaused by high operational temperatures as recognized by thermally awareanalysis (such as performed by “Thermally Aware Analysis Flow” 110 ofFIG. 12). Hot Devices and Interconnect 410 includes Source FFs 411, XNORGate 412, NOR Gate 413, and Interconnect 414, in close physicalproximity and all operating at a relatively high temperature, asdetermined by “Thermal Analysis” 111. The performance problems due tothe elevated temperature may include increased leakage current (from thetransistors in the FFs and Gates, for example), reduced current handlingcapability (in the interconnect, for example), or both. The reliabilityproblems due to the higher temperature may include acceleratedelectromigration effects such as via damage and wire cracking, in anycombination of the FFs, Gates, and interconnect.

In some embodiments “Thermal Analysis” 111 provides the electrical ruleschecking tool typically executed as part of “Other Analyses” 112 withtemperature profile information for the elements of Hot Devices andInterconnect 410. The electrical rules checker recognizes theperformance or reliability problems due to the high temperatureoperation. In some embodiments “Thermal Analysis” 111 provides thechecking tools with modified rules that take into account operatingtemperatures of analyzed elements. For example, a rule for checking apower line routed near a large heat generator (and thus operating at arelatively higher temperature) may be made more stringent than a rulefor checking a ground line routed far from heat generators (and thusoperating at a relatively lower temperature).

FIG. 16 illustrates an example repair techniques for the performance andreliability problems of FIG. 15, as provided by thermally aware designimprovement (such as performed by “Improvement Flow” 120 of FIG. 12).More specifically, FIG. 16 illustrates an example for improving theperformance and reliability of Hot Devices and Interconnect 410 byinsertion of cooling structures to reduce operating temperatures. Theelements of FIG. 16, as illustrated by Added Cooling Structures Region520, are identical to those of FIG. 15 except for the addition of heatremoval elements Cooling Structure 521 and Cooling Structure 522. Thecooling structures decrease operating temperatures and thus effectimproved performance and reliability, as in the previous example.Requirements on the nature and location of the heat removal elements areprovided by “Optimize/Repair” 121 to “Design Automation Flow” 122 toimplement improvements of an electronic component includingfunctionality as specified by Hot Devices and Interconnect 410.

FIG. 17A illustrates an example of a noise problem brought about in partby a steep thermal gradient that is recognized by thermally awareanalysis (such as performed by “Thermally Aware Analysis Flow” 110 ofFIG. 12). Low Temperature (Aggressor) 610A affects High Temperature(Victim) 611A via Coupling Capacitance 612. In a failure mode, as theVictim output is being sampled by a storage element, the Aggressorswitches at a high slew rate, coupling a transient to the Victim outputand causing a sampling error. The error is magnified by the thermalgradient, as the Aggressor slews more quickly due to operation at arelatively low temperature, while the Victim recovery slew rate isslower due to operation at a relatively high temperature. In someembodiments temperature profiles, as determined by “Thermal Analysis”111 and provided to the noise analysis performed by “Other Analyses” 112enable detection of the noise problem. In some embodiments temperatureaware noise behavior information is provided directly by the thermalanalysis to the noise analysis.

FIG. 17B illustrates an example improvement technique for the noiseproblem of FIG. 1 7A, as provided by thermally aware design improvement(such as performed by “Improvement Flow” 120 of FIG. 12). Two mechanismsare illustrated, usable alone or in combination. A first mechanismincludes addition of Heat Source 613 near the Aggressor, resulting inoperation at a relatively higher temperature, as shown conceptually byMid Temperature (Aggressor) 610B. A second mechanism includes additionof Cooling Structure 614 near the Victim, resulting in operation at arelatively lower temperature, as shown conceptually by Mid Temperature(Victim) 611B. The two techniques tend to reduce the thermal gradient(i.e. provide a more uniform temperature distribution) between theAggressor and the Victim, thus reducing the relative affect of theAggressor on the Victim, and the noise problem is mitigated, improvingthe design. Computations in “Optimize/Repair” 121 and correspondingresults provided to “Design Automation Flow” 122 include any combinationof heat source selection and placement, as well as cooling structureselection and placement, according to various embodiments.

Conclusion

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detailfor purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limitedto the details provided. There are many ways of implementing theinvention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and notrestrictive.

It will be understood that many variations in construction, arrangementand use are possible consistent with the teachings and within the scopeof the claims appended to the issued patent. For example, interconnectand function-unit bit-widths, clock speeds, and the type of technologyused may generally be varied in each component block. The names given tointerconnect and logic are merely illustrative, and should not beconstrued as limiting the concepts taught. The order and arrangement offlowchart and flow diagram process, action, and function elements maygenerally be varied. Also, unless specifically stated to the contrary,the value ranges specified, the maximum and minimum values used, orother particular specifications (such as the design file formats, thetype of packaging, the number of metal layers, and the type and numberof stages in the design flow), are merely those of the illustrativeembodiments, may be expected to track improvements and changes inimplementation technology, and should not be construed as limitations.

Functionally equivalent techniques known to those of ordinary skill inthe art may be employed instead of those illustrated to implementvarious components, sub-systems, functions, operations, routines, andsub-routines. It is also understood that many design functional aspectsmay be carried out in either hardware (i.e., generally dedicatedcircuitry) or software (i.e., via some manner of programmed controlleror processor), as a function of implementation dependent designconstraints and the technology trends of faster processing (whichfacilitates migration of functions previously in hardware into software)and higher integration density (which facilitates migration of functionspreviously in software into hardware). Specific variations may include,but are not limited to: differences in partitioning; different formfactors and configurations; use of different operating systems and othersystem software; use of different interface standards, networkprotocols, or communication links; and other variations to be expectedwhen implementing the concepts taught herein in accordance with theunique engineering and business constraints of a particular application.

The embodiments have been illustrated with detail and environmentalcontext well beyond that required for a minimal implementation of manyof aspects of the concepts taught. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that variations may omit disclosed components or featureswithout altering the basic cooperation among the remaining elements. Itis thus understood that much of the details disclosed are not requiredto implement various aspects of the concepts taught. To the extent thatthe remaining elements are distinguishable from the prior art,components and features that may be so omitted are not limiting on theconcepts taught herein.

All such variations in design comprise insubstantial changes over theteachings conveyed by the illustrative embodiments. It is alsounderstood that the concepts taught herein have broad applicability toother computing and networking applications, and are not limited to theparticular application or industry of the illustrated embodiments. Theinvention is thus to be construed as including all possiblemodifications and variations encompassed within the scope of the claimsappended to the issued patent.

1. A method of computer-aided-design of integrated circuits, the methodcomprising: manipulating a design database representing at least aportion of a chip having an associated physical structure, operationaltemperature distribution, and operational electrical performance;simulating the operational temperature distribution of at least part ofthe chip using thermal modeling of all thermally significant features ofthe physical structure, the thermally significant features comprisingactive devices of a die and embedded multi-layer interconnect of the dieand being described by the design database; simulating the operationalelectrical performance of the at least part of the chip;programmatically communicating information between the acts ofsimulating; and based on the acts of simulating, selectively modifyingaspects of the design database in accordance with at least onepredetermined criteria.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermalmodeling is performed in three dimensions and the temperaturedistribution is simulated in three dimensions.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the selectively modifying is performed at least in part to alterthe temperature distribution.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theselectively modifying is performed at least in part to optimize at leastportions of the design database in view of the temperature distribution.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively modifying is performedto enhance cooling capability proximate to at least one hot region ofthe chip.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively modifying isperformed to equalize the temperature in at least one region of the chipby raising the temperature within at least part of the at least oneregion.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the selective modificationimproves one or more of: the temperature distribution; chip performance;static power; dynamic power; maximum temperature; leakage; and chipreliability.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the acts of simulatingand the modifying are actions performed in a thermal and electricalanalysis and improvement computer aided design tool adapted to functionindependently of other computer aided design tools.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein at least the operational temperature distributionsimulating action is performed by a thermal analysis computer aideddesign subsystem adapted to interact with at least one other computeraided design subsystem in at least a circuit simulation stage and afloorplanning stage of an overall design flow.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein at least the operational temperature distribution simulatingaction is used in at least one stage in an overall design flow by athermal analysis computer aided design subsystem adapted to interactwith at least one other computer aided design subsystem.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the at least one stage in an overall design flowcomprises one or more of: circuit design; circuit simulation;simulation; floorplanning; place and route; block partitioning; detailedplace and route; engineering change order; and sign-off.
 12. The methodof claim 10, wherein the at least one other computer aided designsubsystem is enabled to perform one or more of: circuit simulation;floorplanning; place and route; static timing analysis; statisticaltiming analysis; power analysis; signal integrity analysis; electricalcircuit rule checking; IR drop analysis; electromigration analysis;reliability analysis; power rail analysis; and clock tree analysis. 13.The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulating, the acts of simulating,and the modifying actions are adapted to cooperate with a circuitsimulation subsystem in an integrated computer aided design tool thatperforms at least circuit simulation, thermal analysis, and thermalimprovement.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulating, theacts of simulating, and the modifying actions are adapted to cooperatewith a plurality of computer aided design subsystems in an integratedcomputer aided design tool adapted for use in design flow stagescomprising at least: floorplanning, partitioned block analysis, detailedplace and route, and repair.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein atleast one of the simulating actions is performed by the integratedcomputer aided design tool at a plurality of the stages.
 16. The methodof claim 1, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises one or more of:reducing temperature in one or more predefined regions; increasingtemperature in one or more predefined regions; moderating temperaturevariations within one or more predefined regions; mitigating heatingconcentrations predefined as excessive; equalizing temperature betweenpredefined regions; bringing one or more operating parameters withinpredetermined limits; satisfying one or more predefined assertions; andreducing the likelihood of electromigration induced failure.
 17. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the selective modification comprises one ormore of: a change in a heat generating element; a change in a heatconducting element; and a change in a heat dissipating element.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the heat generating element comprises one ormore of: a transistor; a diode; a resistor; a capacitor; an inductor;and a wire.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the heat conductingelement comprises one or more of: a bond-wire land; a solder-bump pad; avia; a stacked via; a via placed to be thermally significant andelectrically inconsequential; a via coupled to a bond-wire land site; avia coupled to a solder-bump pad; and an area of metallization.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the heat dissipating element comprises oneor more of: a bond-wire land; a solder-bump pad; a via; a stacked via; avia placed to be thermally significant and electrically inconsequential;a via coupled to a bond-wire land site; a via coupled to a solder-bumppad; and an area of metallization.
 21. The method of claim 17, whereinthe design database has an associated circuit design and the selectivemodification comprises one or more of: a change of component sizing inat least one part of the circuit design; an exchange of circuitry ofequivalent logical function in at least one part of the circuit design;a change in circuit topology in at least one part of the circuit design;and a change in layout of at least one part of the circuit design. 22.The method of claim 21, wherein the change of component sizing comprisesresizing one or more transistors.
 23. The method of claim 21, whereinthe selective modification equalizes the temperature between predefinedregions.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the predefined regions areassociated with a first transistor and a second transistor.
 25. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the selective modification comprisesselection from design resources differentiated by their thermalconductance but otherwise functionally interchangeable.
 26. The methodof claim 1, wherein the design database is adapted to a fabricationprocess having at least one process step that permits at least someregions on at least one layer to be a selected one of a plurality ofmetallization types having respectively different elementalcompositions.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein more than oneelemental composition is available for fabricating vias through at leastone predetermined dielectric layer.
 28. The method of claim 27, whereineach via through the at least one predetermined dielectric layer is aselected one of a plurality of types having respectively different heattransfer and ohmic characteristics.
 29. The method of claim 26, whereinone of the metallization types is preferentially used to build one ormore vias having enhanced heat conduction.
 30. The method of claim 26,wherein one of the metallization types is preferentially used to improvethe heat transfer characteristics of one or more wires.
 31. The methodof claim 26, wherein more than one elemental composition is availablefor fabricating wires on at least one predetermined metal layer.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, wherein each wire on the at least one predeterminedmetal layer is a selected one of a plurality of types havingrespectively different heat transfer and ohmic characteristics.
 33. Themethod of claim 26, wherein one of the metallization types has a higherthermal conductance and lower electrical resistivity than the othermetallization types.
 34. The method of claim 26, wherein one of themetallization types is preferentially used to raise the temperature inone or more selected regions.
 35. The method of claim 26, wherein one ofthe metallization types comprises the element Ti.
 36. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the selective modification comprises modification ofconfiguration of one or more of: circuit design; layout; chippartitioning; chip floorplanning; chip place and route; chipinterconnect; chip metallization; chip vias between interconnect layers;power distribution; clock distribution; I/O pad locations;die-to-package attachment; package design; and heat dissipater design.37. The method of claim 36, wherein the modification of configurationcomprises one or more of: a change in size; a change in number; a changein placement; an exchange of placement; a change in topology; a changein orientation; a change in pattern; a change in geometry; a change inarrangement; a change in distribution; a change in at least one groupproperty; a change in at least one material property; and a change inelemental composition.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein at least oneinstance of the change in number comprises one of: a change from zero togreater than zero; and a change from greater than zero to zero.
 39. Asystem for computer-aided-design of integrated circuits, the systemcomprising: a computing platform including processor, memory, and I/O; aphysical design subsystem adapted to manipulate a design databaserepresenting at least a portion of a chip having an associated physicalstructure, operational temperature distribution, and operationalelectrical performance; a thermal analysis subsystem adapted to simulatethe operational temperature distribution of at least part of the chipusing thermal modeling of all thermally significant features of thephysical structure, the thermally significant features comprising activedevices of a die and embedded multi-layer interconnect of the die andbeing described by the design database; an electrical analysis subsystemadapted to simulate the operational electrical performance of the atleast part of the chip; an analysis communication subsystem adapted toprogrammatically communicate information between the thermal and theelectrical analysis subsystems; and a thermal improvement subsystemadapted to selectively modify aspects of the design database based onthe simulated operational temperature distribution and the simulatedoperational electrical performance in accordance with at least onepredetermined criteria.
 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the thermalmodeling is performed in three dimensions and the temperaturedistribution is simulated in three dimensions.
 41. The system of claim39, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises one or more of:reducing temperature in one or more predefined regions; increasingtemperature in one or more predefined regions; equalizing temperaturebetween predefined regions; bringing one or more operating parameterswithin predetermined limits; satisfying one or more predefinedassertions; and reducing the likelihood of electromigration inducedfailure.
 42. The system of claim 39, wherein the selective modificationis performed at least in part to alter the temperature distribution. 43.The system of claim 39, wherein the selective modification is performedat least in part to optimize at least portions of the design database inview of the temperature distribution.
 44. The system of claim 39,wherein the selective modification improves one or more of: thetemperature distribution; chip performance; static power; dynamic power;maximum temperature; leakage; and chip reliability.
 45. The system ofclaim 39, wherein the selective modification comprises modification ofconfiguration of one or more of: chip partitioning; chip floorplanning;chip place and route; chip interconnect; chip metallization; chip viasbetween interconnect layers; power distribution; clock distribution; I/Opad locations; die-to-package attachment; package design; and heatdissipater design.
 46. The system of claim 45, wherein the modificationof configuration comprises one or more of: a change in size; a change innumber; a change in placement; an exchange of placement; a change intopology; a change in orientation; a change in pattern; a change ingeometry; a change in arrangement; a change in distribution; a change inat least one group property; a change in at least one material property;and a change in elemental composition.
 47. An article of manufacture,comprising a computer readable medium having stored therein a computerprogram component adapted to semiconductor computer-aided-design, thecomputer program component comprising: a first code segment, which whenexecuted on a computer, is adapted to manipulate a design databaserepresenting at least a portion of a chip having an associated physicalstructure, operational temperature distribution, and operationalelectrical performance; a second code segment, which when executed onthe computer, simulates the operational temperature distribution of atleast pan of the chip using thermal modeling of all thermallysignificant features of the physical structure, the thermallysignificant features comprising active devices of a die and embeddedmulti-layer interconnect of the die and being described by the designdatabase; a third code segment, which when executed on the computer,simulates the operational electrical performance of the at least part ofthe chip; a fourth code segment, which when executed on the computer,programmatically communicates information between the acts ofsimulating; and a fifth code segment, which when executed on thecomputer, selectively modifies aspects of the design database based onthe simulated temperature distribution and the simulated operationalelectrical performance in accordance with at least one predeterminedcriteria.
 48. The article of manufacture of claim 47, wherein thethermal modeling is performed in three dimensions and the temperaturedistribution is simulated in three dimensions.
 49. The article ofmanufacture of claim 47, wherein the selective modification is performedat least in part to alter the temperature distribution.
 50. The articleof manufacture of claim 47, wherein the selective modification isperformed at least in part to optimize at least portions of the designdatabase in view of the temperature distribution.
 51. The article ofmanufacture of claim 47, wherein the predetermined criteria comprisesone or more of: reducing temperature in one or more predefined regions;increasing temperature in one or more predefined regions; equalizingtemperature between predefined regions; bringing one or more operatingparameters within predetermined limits; satisfying one or morepredefined assertions; and reducing the likelihood of electromigrationinduced failure.
 52. The article of manufacture of claim 47, wherein theselective modification improves one or more of: the temperaturedistribution; chip performance; static power; dynamic power; maximumtemperature; leakage; and chip reliability.
 53. The article ofmanufacture of claim 47, wherein the modified selected aspects comprisemodification of configuration of one or more of: chip partitioning; chipfloorplanning; chip place and route; chip interconnect; chipmetallization; chip vias between interconnect layers; die-to-packageattachment; package design; and heat dissipater design.
 54. The articleof manufacture of claim 53, wherein the modification of configurationcomprises one or more of: a change in size; a change in number; a changein placement; an exchange of placement; a change in topology; a changein orientation; a change in pattern; a change in geometry; a change inarrangement; a change in distribution; a change in at least one groupproperty; a change in at least one material property; and a change inelemental composition.
 55. The article of manufacture of claim 53,wherein the modification of configuration of the chip interconnectcomprises one or more of: a change in wire routing; a change in width ofone or more wires; a change in resistivity of one or more wires; and achange in elemental composition of one or more wires.
 56. The article ofmanufacture of claim 53, wherein the modification of configuration ofthe chip metallization comprises one or more of: a change in location; achange in patterning in at least one region; a change in cross sectionin at least one region; a change in thickness in at least one region; achange in elemental composition in at least one region; a change in atleast one material property in at least one region; a change in tilearrangement in at least one region; and a change in tile density in atleast one region.
 57. The article of manufacture of claim 56, whereinthe chip metallization comprises one or more of: vias; wires; metalfills; and final metal attachment pads.
 58. The article of manufactureof claim 57, wherein one or more of density and location of the metalfills is modified to achieve a desired thermal result.
 59. The articleof manufacture of claim 57, wherein one or more of density and locationof the final metal attachment pads is modified to achieve a desiredthermal result.
 60. The article of manufacture of claim 57, wherein thefinal metal attachment pads comprises lands on top of which solder bumpsare placed.
 61. The article of manufacture of claim 60, wherein thesolder bumps are compatible with a controlled collapse chip connection(C4) process.
 62. The article of manufacture of claim 60, wherein thefinal metal attachment pads are of a metal 8 layer.
 63. The article ofmanufacture of claim 57, wherein the final metal attachment padscomprise wire bonds pads.
 64. The article of manufacture of claim 57,wherein the metal fills are implemented using a plurality of metaltiles.
 65. The article of manufacture of claim 53, wherein themodification of configuration of the chip vias between interconnectlayers comprises one or more of: a change in via number; a change inplacement of at least one via; a change in via density in at least oneregion; a change in arrangement of a plurality of vias in at least oneregion; a change in cross section of one or more vias; a change inresistivity of one or more vias; and a change in elemental compositionof one or more vias.
 66. The article of manufacture of claim 53, whereinthe die-to-package attachment comprises one or more of: solder bumps;underfill; and final metal attachment pads.
 67. The article ofmanufacture of claim 53, wherein the modification of configuration ofthe die-to-package attachment comprises one or more of: a change insolder bump number; a change in placement of at least one solder bump; achange in solder bump density in at least one region; a change inarrangement of a plurality of solder bumps in at least one region; achange in elemental composition of at least one solder bump; a change inapplication of underfill in at least one region; a change in elementalcomposition of underfill in at least one region; a change in final metalattachment pad number; a change in placement of at least one final metalattachment pad; a change in final metal attachment pad density in atleast one region; a change in arrangement of a plurality of final metalattachment pads in at least one region; and a change in elementalcomposition of at least one final metal attachment pad.
 68. The articleof manufacture of claim 53, wherein the modification of configuration ofthe package design comprises one or more of: a change in packageinterconnect; a change in package metallization; a change in packagevias a change in integral heat spreader number; a change in placement ofat least one integral heat spreader; a change in integral heat spreaderdensity in at least one region; a change in arrangement of a pluralityof integral heat spreaders in at least one region; a change in elementalcomposition of at least one integral heat spreader; a change in integralthermal slug number; a change in placement of at least one integralthermal slug; a change in integral thermal slug density in at least oneregion; a change in arrangement of a plurality of integral thermal slugsin at least one region; a change in elemental composition of at leastone integral thermal slug; a change in integral heat pipe number; achange in placement of at least one integral heat pipe; a change inintegral heat pipe density in at least one region; a change inarrangement of a plurality of integral heat pipes in at least oneregion; a change in elemental composition of at least one integral heatpipe; a change in integral heat sink fin number; a change in placementof at least one integral heat sink fin; a change in integral heat sinkfin orientation in at least one region; a change in integral heat sinkfin pattern in at least one region; a change in integral heat sink fingeometry in at least one region; a change in height of at least oneintegral heat sink fin; a change in integral heat sink fin density in atleast one region; a change in arrangement of a plurality of integralheat sink fins in at least one region; and a change in elementalcomposition of at least one integral heat sink fin.
 69. The article ofmanufacture of claim 53, wherein the modification of the configurationof the heat dissipater design comprises one or more of: a change in heatsink fin number; a change in placement of at least one heat sink fin; achange in heat sink fin orientation in at least one region; a change inheat sink fin pattern in at least one region; a change in heat sink fingeometry in at least one region; a change in height of at least one heatsink fin; a change in heat sink fin density in at least one region; achange in arrangement of a plurality of heat sink fins in at least oneregion; and a change in elemental composition of at least one heat sinkfin.
 70. (canceled)
 71. (canceled)
 72. (canceled)
 73. (canceled) 74.(canceled)
 75. (canceled)
 76. (canceled)
 77. (canceled)
 78. The methodof claim 1, wherein the operational temperature distribution simulatingis performed by a thermal analysis computer aided design subsystem andthe operational electrical performance simulating is performed by atleast one other computer aided design subsystem.
 79. The method of claim78, wherein the at least one other computer aided design subsystem isenabled to perform one or more of: circuit simulation; floorplanning;place and route; static timing analysis; statistical timing analysis;power analysis; signal integrity analysis; electrical circuit rulechecking; IR drop analysis; electromigration analysis; reliabilityanalysis; power rail analysis; and clock tree analysis.
 80. The methodof claim 9, wherein the operational electrical performance simulating isperformed by the at least one other computer aided design subsystem. 81.The system of claim 39, wherein the simulation of the operationalelectrical performance comprises one or more of: circuit simulation;floorplanning; place and route; static timing analysis; statisticaltiming analysis; power analysis; signal integrity analysis; electricalcircuit rule checking; IR drop analysis; electromigration analysis;reliability analysis; power rail analysis; and clock tree analysis. 82.The system of claim 39, wherein the selective modification comprises oneor more of: a change in package interconnect; a change in packagemetallization; a change in package vias a change in integral heatspreader number; a change in placement of at least one integral heatspreader; a change in integral heat spreader density in at least oneregion; a change in arrangement of a plurality of integral heatspreaders in at least one region; a change in elemental composition ofat least one integral heat spreader; a change in integral thermal slugnumber; a change in placement of at least one integral thermal slug; achange in integral thermal slug density in at least one region; a changein arrangement of a plurality of integral thermal slugs in at least oneregion; a change in elemental composition of at least one integralthermal slug; a change in integral heat pipe number; a change inplacement of at least one integral heat pipe; a change in integral heatpipe density in at least one region; a change in arrangement of aplurality of integral heat pipes in at least one region; a change inelemental composition of at least one integral heat pipe; a change inintegral heat sink fin number; a change in placement of at least oneintegral heat sink fin; a change in integral heat sink fin orientationin at least one region; a change in integral heat sink fin pattern in atleast one region; a change in integral heat sink fin geometry in atleast one region; a change in height of at least one integral heat sinkfin; a change in integral heat sink fin density in at least one region;a change in arrangement of a plurality of integral heat sink fins in atleast one region; and a change in elemental composition of at least oneintegral heat sink fin.
 83. The system of claim 39, wherein theselective modification comprises one or more of: a change in solder bumpnumber; a change in placement of at least one solder bump; a change insolder bump density in at least one region; a change in arrangement of aplurality of solder bumps in at least one region; a change in elementalcomposition of at least one solder bump; a change in application ofunderfill in at least one region; a change in elemental composition ofunderfill in at least one region; a change in final metal attachment padnumber; a change in placement of at least one final metal attachmentpad; a change in final metal attachment pad density in at least oneregion; a change in arrangement of a plurality of final metal attachmentpads in at least one region; and a change in elemental composition of atleast one final metal attachment pad.
 84. The article of manufacture ofclaim 47, wherein the simulation of the operational electricalperformance comprises one or more of: circuit simulation; floorplanning;place and route; static timing analysis; statistical timing analysis;power analysis; signal integrity analysis; electrical circuit rulechecking; IR drop analysis; electromigration analysis; reliabilityanalysis; power rail analysis; and clock tree analysis.
 85. The articleof manufacture of claim 47, wherein the simulation of the operationalelectrical performance is used in at least one stage in an overalldesign flow, and the at least one stage comprises one or more of:circuit design; circuit simulation; simulation; floorplanning; place androute; block partitioning; detailed place and route; engineering changeorder; and sign-off.